As someone who has been deeply involved in developing science curricula, I’m excited to share insights into how Cambridge Checkpoint Science creates a robust foundation for scientific learning. A major feature of every science course is progression. This allows students to build up their scientific literacy to use throughout their lives and in lower secondary school to prepare a foundation for success in future science examinations.
With school terms underway world wide lets look at how the books build up a knowledge of biology at each stage as the course begins.
Stage 7 (stage 6 in Pakistan)
This is the start of the course and an exciting time for the students as most of them will be entering a science lab for the first time.
We begin by briefly looking at the four main areas of science to be studied – biology, chemistry, physics and Earth and space then think about what kind of scientists we could be before being introduced to the wonders of scientific apparatus and how to use a Bunsen or spirit burner.
Armed with a knowledge of safety in the laboratory, the importance of scientific models and the requirements of the stages of scientific enquiry at this level the students consider what is life by looking its characteristics. This is followed by dividing living things into groups down to species level then it is on to taking a closer look at the structure of living things with that scientific icon the microscope. Having studied cells and become familiar with the world of the very small the biology section ends with a chapter on microorganisms.
Stage 8 (stage 7 in Pakistan)
A year into the course and with a firm knowledge of biology, chemistry, physics and Earth and space at stage 7, the students begin by testing their communication skills in talking about science. They pick up the science enquiry requirements for this level and are invited to think creatively and measure accurately.
There then follows an in-depth consideration of aspects of human biology including joints and muscles, blood, the respiratory system, how to eat healthily and adopt a healthy life style. As the students have made an in-depth study of their bodies they now turn to an in-depth study of their natural environment by building up a concept ecology and ecosystems. This final chapter in the biology section is especially suitable for field trips and building up a knowledge of the natural world – vital for further sections in the course.
Stage 9 (stage 8 in Pakistan)
With growing confidence in science the students begin this final stage by considering what are the features and characteristics of a scientist. They look for when they develop and look for signs of a developing scientist in themselves.
The final objectives of science enquiry at this level are examined then the students read about scientists from the past – Alhazen, Anna Mani and Trevor Baylis. They look at how each scientist’s interests shaped their careers and have an opportunity to reflect on how their interests could lead to a scientific career or just further interest in science in later life.
The biology section begins by considering that essential for life – water then moves on to look at how plants harness energy from the Sun in photosynthesis. This chapter has a novel approach as it presents the building up of the equation for photosynthesis as a research programme in which the students take part. It helps the students appreciate how we build up scientific knowledge calling on research work that has gone before and carefully carrying out well planned experiments.
Genetics is the next chapter where the students begin by looking at variation in a species and end by considering the work of Charles Darwin. Following on from last year’s consideration of health a chapter on care in fetal development is next when a brief history of neonatal care is presented. The biology section ends by building on last year’s work on ecosystems to bring about an understanding environmental change and extinction.
Next time in Progressing with Checkpoint science we will look at the chemistry sections in the books.
